Download Double Aortic Arch

Double Aortic Arch
What Is It?
In this defect, the aorta, the large vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body, separates into
two branches above the heart. This splitting occurs where the aorta begins its curve downward on its
way to the lower body - known as the Aortic Arch. Normally, the Aortic Arch consists of a single
vessel, from which minor arteries carry blood to the upper body. In this case, the Aortic Arch consists
of two vessels, each of which has smaller arteries leaving it.
The two branches of the Aortic Arch surround the esophagus (the tube which carries food to the
stomach) and the trachea (the tube which carries air to and from the lungs). Before descending to the
lower body, the two branches merge into one vessel, the Descending Aorta, as in a normal circulatory
system.
This rare defect, which is one of the so-called Vascular Ring anomalies, affects boys and girls
equally.
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Double Aortic Arch
Normal Heart
What Are Its Effects?
The symptoms associated with this defect involve the constriction of the trachea (windpipe) and/or
esophagus by the surrounding branches of the aorta.
In the former case, breathing may be difficult as the trachea is compressed, resulting in wheezing or
other respiratory distress.
In the latter case, solid food may not be easily swallowed as the aortic branches narrow the
esophagus, and vomiting or choking may occur.
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Transparency applied to the left atrium and left ventricle, revealing the
reconnecting aortic branches
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How Is It Treated?
This defect may take some time to be diagnosed as the symptoms are often mild. A Barium Swallow
Study may be used to help identify the problem. If there is significant interference with breathing,
surgery may be performed.
Surgical treatment involves the tying off and separation of one of the branches of the Double Aortic
Arch. Sometimes, one of the branches is already closed (atretic), with no blood flowing through it. In
this case, it is simply clipped or tied off and separated from the other branch.
In cases where blood flows through both branches, the smaller vessel is tied off and then severed at a
point between the subclavian artery (SA in illustration) and where the smaller branch joins the larger
branch to form the descending aorta. The ends of the remaining sections of the aorta are then closed
with sutures (arrows in illustration).
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Surgical Repair of Double Aortic Arch
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